International Recommendations for Screening and Preventative Practices for Long-Term Survivors of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: A 2023 Update.

As hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy expand to new indications and international access improves, the number of HCTs performed annually continues to rise. Parallel improvements in HCT techniques and supportive care entails more patients surviving long term, creating further emphasis on survivorship needs. Survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pretransplantation, peritransplantation, and post-transplantation exposures and other underlying risk factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were originally published in 2006 and then updated in 2012. An international group of experts was convened to review the contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practices of HCT and cellular therapy. This review provides updated pediatric and adult survivorship guidelines for HCT and cellular therapy. The contributory role of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) to the development of late effects is discussed, but cGVHD management is not covered in detail. These guidelines emphasize the special needs of patients with distinct underlying HCT indications or comorbidities (eg, hemoglobinopathies, older adults) but do not replace more detailed group-, disease-, or condition-specific guidelines. Although these recommendations should be applicable to the vast majority of HCT recipients, resource constraints may limit their implementation in some settings.

International recommendations for screening and preventative practices for long-term survivors of transplantation and cellular therapy: a 2023 update.

As hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy expand to new indications and international access improves, the volume of HCT performed annually continues to rise. Parallel improvements in HCT techniques and supportive care entails more patients surviving long-term, creating further emphasis on survivorship needs. Survivors are at risk for developing late complications secondary to pre-, peri- and post-transplant exposures and other underlying risk-factors. Guidelines for screening and preventive practices for HCT survivors were originally published in 2006 and updated in 2012. To review contemporary literature and update the recommendations while considering the changing practice of HCT and cellular therapy, an international group of experts was again convened. This review provides updated pediatric and adult survivorship guidelines for HCT and cellular therapy. The contributory role of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) to the development of late effects is discussed but cGVHD management is not covered in detail. These guidelines emphasize special needs of patients with distinct underlying HCT indications or comorbidities (e.g., hemoglobinopathies, older adults) but do not replace more detailed group, disease, or condition specific guidelines. Although these recommendations should be applicable to the vast majority of HCT recipients, resource constraints may limit their implementation in some settings.

Patient-reported symptom burden and impact on daily activities in chronic graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) treatment for hematologic malignancies. There are limited patient-reported data concerning symptom burden and effects on activities of daily living (ADL). METHODS: The cross-sectional Living With Chronic GVHD Patient Survey was administered online in the United States (May-August 2020) to participants aged ≥18 years who underwent allogeneic HSCT, were diagnosed with chronic GVHD by a healthcare provider, and self-reported active chronic GVHD (within past 5 years). Information on patient demographics, disease characteristics, symptom burden, and ability to perform ADL was collected. Symptom burden was assessed using the validated Lee Symptom Scale (range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating greater burden). All data were summarized using descriptive statistics; no formal statistical comparisons were conducted. RESULTS: Out of 580 participants who entered the survey screener, 165 participants (28.4%) across 33 states fulfilled all study eligibility criteria, completed the entire survey, and were included (age: mean [SD], 53.7 (13.8) years; median [range], 57.0 [18-78] years; female, n = 105 [63.6%]; White, n = 137 [83.0%]). Respondents described their chronic GVHD severity primarily as moderate (n = 54 [32.7%]) or severe (n = 102 [61.8%]) at the time when symptoms were at their worst. One-third of respondents (33.9%) indicated that their chronic GVHD symptoms were at their worst for ≥1 year in duration. Mean (SD; range) Lee Symptom Scale score was 44.8 (19.4; 2-100); 44% of respondents considered "dry eye" the most burdensome symptom. Almost half of respondents (n = 73 [44.2%]) rated their overall quality of life (QoL) as poor. Participants reported a detrimental impact of symptoms on ADL, including basic activities (eg, eating, personal hygiene, dressing). CONCLUSIONS: Survey respondents self-reported high chronic GVHD symptom burden and felt that their symptoms severely interfered with physical function and ADL. Effective strategies to mitigate chronic GVHD symptoms are needed to improve QoL among HSCT survivors.

Impact of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease on Patient Employment, Income, and Informal Caregiver Burden: Findings From the Living With Chronic GVHD Patient Survey.

The development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) results in impaired physical function and quality of life. However, limited data exist regarding the employment and financial impact on patients and caregivers. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of chronic GVHD on patient employment, disability leave, income, reliance on caregivers, and effects on caregiver employment. The Living With Chronic GVHD Patient Survey was a cross-sectional online survey administered from May to August 2020 in the United States to adult HSCT survivors diagnosed with chronic GVHD within the past 5 years. Data on respondent demographics and disease characteristics and the effects of chronic GVHD on employment, income, and need for caregiver assistance were collected. Respondents also were asked to report on the impact of their chronic GVHD on their caregivers' employment. All data were summarized using descriptive statistics; no formal statistical comparisons were conducted. A total of 165 respondents completed the survey (median age, 57.0 years; 63.6% women; 83.0% white). The respondents had been experiencing chronic GVHD for a median of 4.5 years (range, .1 to 36.7 years), with a median of .5 years (range, 0 to 3.6 years) from the most recent transplantation to chronic GVHD diagnosis. Among those employed full- or part-time at the time of their most recent transplantation (n = 80), 61.3% reported taking disability leave, 58.8% worked reduced hours, 27.5% took a less demanding job, and 33.8% left a job because of chronic GVHD. Additionally, 71.3% believed they had lost income due to chronic GVHD. Among all respondents, 72.1% reported receiving regular caregiver assistance. Respondents commonly reported employment changes among unpaid caregivers; 34.5% reduced their working hours, and 16.6% left a job). HSCT survivors who develop chronic GVHD are vulnerable to employment changes and financial hardship. This analysis highlights the need for effective therapies and improved symptom management to reduce the multifaceted burden of chronic GVHD on patients and their caregivers and ultimately improve long-term HSCT outcomes.

Information giving and receiving in hematological malignancy consultations.

PURPOSE: Little is known about communication with patients suffering from hematologic malignancies, many of whom are seen by subspecialists in consultation at tertiary-care centers. These subspecialized consultations might provide the best examples of optimal physician-patient communication behaviors, given that these consultations tend to be lengthy, to occur between individuals who have not met before and may have no intention of an ongoing relationship, and which have a goal of providing treatment recommendations. The aim of this paper is to describe and quantify the content of the subspecialty consultation in regards to exchanging information and identify patient and provider characteristics associated with discussion elements. METHODS: Audio-recorded consultations between 236 patients and 40 hematologists were coded for recommended communication practices. Multilevel models for dichotomous outcomes were created to test associations between patient, physician and consultation characteristics and key discussion elements. RESULTS: Discussions about the purpose of the visit and patient's knowledge about their disease were common. Other elements such as patient's preference for his/her role in decision-making, preferences for information, or understanding of presented information were less common. Treatment recommendations were provided in 97% of the consultations and unambiguous presentations of prognosis occurred in 81% of the consultations. Unambiguous presentations of prognosis were associated with non-White patient race, lower educational status, greater number of questions asked, and specific physician provider. CONCLUSION: Although some communication behaviors occur in most consultations, others are much less common and could help tailor the amount and type of information discussed. Approximately half of the patients are told unambiguous prognostic estimates for mortality or cure.

Collection and preservation of cord blood for personal use.

Unrelated-donor umbilical cord blood (CB) is a useful alternative hematopoietic stem cell source for patients without suitably matched and readily available related or unrelated stem cell donors. Expectant parents today may have the option of either donating the CB to a public CB bank or keeping and storing the CB in a private bank for potential use in the future. The alternatives are often referred to as public banking and private banking. On behalf of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT), we have reviewed the currently available data and opinions and offer the following recommendations: The committee acknowledges the expanding potential of indications for CB in the future, and suggests review of these recommendations at regular intervals.

Enhancing physician-patient communication.

Physician-patient communication encompasses the verbal and nonverbal interactions that form the basis for the doctor-patient relationship. A growing body of research and guidelines development acknowledges that physicians do not have to be born with excellent communication skills, but rather can learn them as they practice the other aspects of medicine. Improvement in physician-patient communication can result in better patient care and help patients adapt to illness and treatment. In addition, knowledge of communication strategies may decrease stress on physicians because delivering bad news, dealing with patients' emotions, and sharing decision making, particularly around issues of informed consent or when medical information is extremely complex, have been recognized by physicians as communication challenges. This paper will provide an overview of research aimed at improving patient outcome through better physician-patient communication and discuss guidelines and practical suggestions immediately applicable to clinical practice.